Two words: CURE CANCER!

Everyone knows someone that has been affected by cancer. We ride because we want to contribute to research into finding a cure for this terrible disease. Here are some individuals close to the Dassault Systemes family for whom we ride:

We ride for everyone battling this disease but especially for these individuals:

We ride for a number of reasons, some that are closely held and others more pronounced. Our motivation for why we readily participate in the PMC, is to stamp out that hideous heart breaker we know as cancer. Team DASSAULT members from Providence will have special thoughts about our own SIMULIA family members, who include Effie Goldstein, wife of our former CEO Mark Goldstein and Tim Mason, the General Manager of SIMULIA’s office in Cleveland.

Sadly, Tim Mason, succumbed to cancer on Father’s Day, June 15, 2009 after a valiant fight. Tim was a talented engineer and manager and a wonderful personality who is sorely missed by his wife, two children and his colleagues. We honor his memory and hope to help prevent others being taken from us in the prime of their lives.

We ride as one and we ride for all……

Erica is the 11 year old daughter of a Product Manager at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. At 5 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.).  At The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) she received chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant to successfully treat her disease. Unfortunately 4 years after her bone marrow transplant the leukemia relapsed and a new treatment protocol has begun at Dana Farber.  She is responding very well to the new treatments and is in her 23rd month of treatment.

Stephanie is a 13 year old 7th grade student at the Wareham Middle School who was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) when she was 10.  Stephanie completed her chemo treatment in December 2008 and is in the follow-up stage at the Jimmy Fund Clinic in Boston.  Stephanie is an avid sports fan and continued to participate in the Wareham Little League, youth bowling league and was batgirl for The Wareham Gatemen in 2007 and 2008.

 Since her diagnoses, Stephanie has participated in The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, 2 Relay for Life and has been a Pedal Partner for the last 2 years this year making it her 3rd.  This year she decided to start her own team for The Relay for Life to be held in June. 

Stephanie hopes one day to become a lawyer who defends Doctors against malpractice lawsuits, but for now is just happy to be the catcher for her Little League team The Giants.

Greg’s Story

 “It’s report card day.” Those were the first words out of his mouth as he was barely awake, on May 15, 2009. 

Greg had been diagnosed with a very rare blood cancer on February 26th after being sick for nearly 2 months.  He had a cough, a very rapid heartbeat, shallow, rapid breathing, was lethargic, and had lost nearly 20 pounds.  We knew something was seriously wrong when taking a shower in the morning shot his heart rate over 120 bpm.  I was so worried about him.  I would lie awake at night and count his respirations.  They were 3-4 times faster than my own.  His heart rate at rest hovered around 95-100 bpm.   At first, they thought it was viral walking pneumonia.   When the symptoms persisted despite a course of antibiotics, we went back for more tests.  A bronchoscopy gave us the diagnosis of lymphomatoid granulomatosis.  The doctor was a pulmonologist, but not an oncologist.  He admitted he didn’t know much about this disease and would have to read up on it.  The information on the Internet gave Greg 14 months to live from his diagnosis, statistically.  We wanted a second opinion. 

Having ridden the PMC for 3 years for a young friend who inspired me by the courageous way she battled her brain tumor, my connection with cancer was, logically, the PMC and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  I immediately emailed the president of Dana-Farber, Dr. Edward Benz.  I asked him to help us find the right person to see for a second opinion on this disease.   I was amazed when he replied in less than 15 minutes!  He told me which doctor he was passing my email on to, and gave me his secretary’s number in case I had any questions.

Dr. Jacobsen was wonderful.  That he was well trained and competent was important, but what made an impression on Greg, was that he is a salt-water fly fisherman.  They speak a similar language about rods and reels and flies and fish.  I liked that he listened to us, heard our concerns, answered our questions and gave us hope and encouragement.  He never stood up to leave until we were ready to go.  He confirmed the diagnosis.  He prescribed 6 weeks of chemotherapy that consisted of cytoxan, prednisone and two other drugs to help his body deal with side effects.  These would be taken orally on a daily basis.  Once he started on the prednisone, Greg started to gain a little more energy.

Our friends were shocked and saddened and more than a little worried to hear the news.  If Greg, who worked out on a regular basis and was very focused on maintaining his health, can get sick, so could they.  It blew the veil off any illusion of safety, security or “forever.”  Life was out of our control.  Our friends were wonderfully supportive.  They set up a website that allowed me to send updates on Greg’s health with one click of a button.  They offered to drive us to appointments and to make us meals.  We felt loved and cared for and nervous.  We were grateful for all the cards and phone calls and expressions of love and support.

Over the next six weeks Greg checked in at work occasionally.  Greg’s employees carried on quite capably in his absence.  One competitor tried to lure customers away saying that Greg was sick and the business wouldn’t last much longer.  Greg countered that with a letter going out to his customers saying that Dana Wallboard would continue to service their needs with the same quality and care to which they had become accustomed.

As the weather was getting warmer, we tried a short bike ride.  Greg couldn’t go a half-mile without beginning to wretch from the effort.  Greg continued to test his strength and endurance on his bike.  The doctor had said he could exercise, as he felt able.  Eventually he was riding 6 miles, then 8, then 15.  The week he finished his chemo, he rode strong for 28 miles (the Concord loop).  He had gained weight and looked healthy and vibrant.

Greg needed to be off his meds for a week before his follow-up PET scan.  After having something he could do that felt like it was working, it was scary to stop taking his meds.  We waited in limbo land for a week to find out how effective the treatment had been.  As the week wore on, Greg retreated deeper into his own private world.  We were both worried.  He felt in his heart that the cancer had left his body, but to become attached to that outcome would be to set himself up for devastating disappointment if he was wrong.  That’s why he felt like it was report card day.  It was out of our hands.  All we could hope for was a good grade.  We arrived at the hospital a half hour early.  You just never know with Boston traffic.  Greg gave his blood at the lab and then presented himself at nuclear medicine for his PET scan (that’s a radioactive MRI).  Nearly 2 hours later we were back in the clinic awaiting his results.  When Dr. Jacobsen told us there was no disease in Greg’s body, we could scarcely comprehend.  We smiled, chatted about fishing and then asked again, “Really?” 

We were acutely aware that not everyone at clinic that day was getting good news.  We are still trying to understand and absorb it.  It is important to both of us not to lose the lessons gained by our mortality being held so graphically in front of us.   The gratitude we feel is overwhelming. Life holds a new urgency for us.  Forever is an illusion. We have a responsibility to live each day to its fullest, to be of service to each other and our community and to appreciate the time we have together.

Peter Brennan had recently begun his official retirement when he was diagnosed with advanced stage Kidney Cancer. Upon his diagnosis, Peter was given 2-3 months to live with little hope for successful treatment.

Peter lived in Colorado's Rocky Mountains where he was an avid environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast. Before his diagnosis, Peter spent his days volunteering for the Rocky Mountain National Park Service creating and repairing mountain trails, and accompanying park rangers on hikes to mountain summits conducting water testing in lakes and streams for the University of Colorado. Having great knowledge about Colorado's terrain and environment, Peter also volunteered at the Estes Park Visitor's Center serving as an advisor and guide to park visitors.

Peter bravely fought his illness for seven and a half months before passing away on March 21, 2007. He had lived a full life but still had a lot more of living left to do. He was the father of former long-term SolidWorks employee, Julie Brennan.

Joyce Goodman, Mother and Mother in law of Team Dassault riders Rob Goodman and Mark Feldman passed away in May 2009 after her second battle with cancer. Joyce was a breast cancer survivor and it was that successful battle that inspired Rob to start riding in the PMC in 2001. Rob has since raised over $200K in his 10 years participating in the PMC in her honor. Joyce left behind her husband Steve, son Andrew, daughter Jennifer (married to Mark) and their kids Jared and Sydney and Rob’s wife Stephanie and their kids Jake and Josh. Josh was born 6 weeks after Joyce’s passing and he was named after her.  Joyce’s last photo – pictured with her grandson Jake.

Myrna Bluestein was an energetic, fun-loving person with a kind heart, After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she went on to attend her son's wedding, see her first grandchild born and make many, many new friends. She is missed greatly. Myrna was the mother of SolidWorks' employee Michael Bluestein, with whom she's pictured here.

Dennis Sweeney is a programmer at SolidWorks Corporation and has survived cancer twice.  At the age of 19 he survived testicular cancer when the right testis was infected with a teratocarcinoma which resulted in a right radical orchiectomy.  Ten days after having surgery to remove the cancer, abdominal exploratory surgery showed a cancer free lymph system so no chemo was needed.  At the age of 32 the left pectoral minor was infected with a germ cell tumor that was ten percent immature teratoma.  Since the second cancer was also a teratoma it was considered most likely to be a metastasis of the first.

Radiation and Chemotherapy were required after the second cancer because the tumor was exposed to the chest.  This is where cancer research comes in… the chemo that was required for this type of cancer was extremely difficult.  Any work that can be done to improve the survivability and quality of life for patients that require this treatment will be appreciated by countless people.

Dennis lives with his wife Kiyomi in Shirley, MA and considers every day a good day to be alive.

Ari is the 9 year old cousin of Team Dassault rider Robert Goodman and was diagnosed with Pre–B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February, 2006. One day he was a cheery, adorable, bright kid running around – the next day he was tired, bruising easily and diagnosed with childhood cancer. Ari has since completed his chemotherapy treatment and is in remission. July of 2010 marked the one year anniversary of being off treatment. Ari is pictured in the center with his siblings

Chris Berg was a QA Engineer at SolidWorks Corporation who lost his battle with cancer in late 2002 at the young age of only 29 years old. He had a great, friendly demeanor and very strong work ethic even while facing one of the physically toughest battles. We miss Chris every day.